013. The Front: West Coast

One great thing about our West Coast tour this year, is that now when we arrive in line, we usually know nearly everyone there! Seattle was our first taste of that, and it felt good. A friend we made in Mexico City, Nathania, graciously welcomed us into her home in Washington, and we all got to hug the rail together. While the new Ticketmaster provisions caused early mayhem at the doors, it was a great welcome back to life on tour. Hearing "These Are My Twisted Words" was a particularly memorable highlight.

Moda Center, Portland - April 9

Time of Arrival to Venue: 7:15AMNumber in Line: 20

We lived the Radiohead fan norm and jetted directly to Portland once we got out of the Seattle show. It was a difficult turnaround - somehow we had to find time to sleep, and get in line early for the next show. I may not have been up for it had Sarah (a Radiohead fan we met in Montreal the year prior), not been coming to the show. We motivated each other to get our heads in the game. While the venue was stupid, yelling "ready, set, go!" before fans tried to rip open a set of locked venue doors - the crowd for this show was truly incredible.

Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara - April 11

Time of Arrival to Venue: 7:30AMNumber in Line: Melissa's + 1

For this show, Tyler and I split up. We had one General Admission ticket (from a trade), and one ticket yet to be secured. A subject was driving early morning from Anaheim to try to get tickets. After waiting all day, we elected it would be best that Tyler sit with our subject, and I make the sacrifice and go to GA (lol). No sacrifice at all, but a guard full body blocked me from getting up the stairs into the GA area, so I wasn't near any of my friends - but I did get to discover the splendor of Jonny's side rail. Photo of the Kuwaitis in lieu of a rail selfie.

Greek Theatre, Berkeley Night 1 - April 17

Time of Arrival to Venue: 11PM the night beforeNumber in Line: 7

Tyler and I talked a lot about camping out in a tent for a show. This day, we did it, but plans were somewhat foiled due to WASTE ticket holders gaining entry ahead of regular ticket holders. It was very interesting to see how people reacted to this. Fans whispering to security guards, keeping information on the down low - sharing advice with a select few - plotting, cunning, all to get that front rail spot. Despite camping out, we almost didn't make it to the rail. My friend Luis and his sister saved me a spot, so I was lucky. We got "Lucky" that night too.

Greek Theatre, Berkeley Night 2 - April 18

Time of Arrival to Venue: 10AMNumber in Line: Questionable

We couldn't camp another night. We had to hastily get a hotel room. We were exhausted. We had to sleep a full night in order to not get sick. Our tripod got stolen. It was not our best day - but it ended up being a best show. We arrived later, but due to our persistence/help from friends, we got saved spots. There was no WASTE ticket line this time - so the odds were fairly dispersed. Some crafty crowd weaving yielded an amazing spot. We got not only "Where I End And You Begin" but "Street Spirit." As far as U.S. shows - it's only rivaled by LA night 2.

Coachella, Indio - April 20

Time of Arrival to Venue: 8AMAnxiety Level: Get me out of this desert

Everyone in this photo would be lying if they said they'd enjoyed themselves that day. Waiting all day in 100°F heat, in a dusty, claustrophobic desert crowd was truly a nightmare. The stage was super far away from the railing, we had to take turns walking around in order to stay remotely alive - and my friend Stevie had to save our lives with pizza during Father John Misty. Other than that, we may not have survived. Plus Radiohead really wasn't into the set. I don't think they'll ever play Coachella again - and I can live with that.